The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-26
Clara Discovers a Trick Practiced by
Dyers and Cleaners of Garments.
4 Shrek in q Theater that Caused Tempo
rary Halt in the Play-Gems Belonging to
Actresses and How They Are Guarded.


New YORK, June 25-Chauncey NJ. Depew is
q more humorous man than his after-dinner
speeches indicate. Being a girl, am forever
debarred from hearing those addresses delivered,
but the quotations that read not worth the
space in which they are printed, and 1t must re-
auire deal Of champagne to make the laughter
effervesce. But he does talk comically to ladies.
I met him yesterday in Fifth avenue at Thirty
eighth street, and he was gazing alternately at
the Union League Club house on one corner and
amagnifcent private residence on another. He
bowed politely in the old-fashioued way. That
is to say, he didn't slide his hat along down the
ridge Of his to level with his chin, and
then back to his head, after the manner OK the
current beau, but lifted it, free, courtly and
picturesque.
What are you looking at the buildings tor
Mr. Depew" asked.
''I will tell you," he replied. THAT is the
Union League Club, as You know. and, asa
member, put good deal of time and money
into it. The house over hero was, until this
week, the home of the Burtons. Now they have
sold 1t. Aud to whom do you supposed To two
sisters who are dress-makers. Do object to
thatl No. not for itself; but do you think it
will be conducive to placid comfort in your
father-or TO your husband, when you take one
to sit in his club window and gaze across the
avenue at the establishment in which his
daughter or his wife, spends his money in frip-
peryl'
OF course, dear Uncle Chauncey didn't half
mean what he said He is like most men in
ally liking beauty when it is adorned the most
artistically. But 1t is worth mentioning that
two dress-makers are financially able to buy a
Fifth avenue mansion for $4,000 down, and
turn it into a shop
It was in the rooms of another modish dress
making establishment that saw something to
mako my eyes stick out. Beings with trousers
on, and presumably men, ara the high designers
of garments in this concern. and at the time of
my visit no less than threa of them were work
ing over strange combination Of fabric and
shape that was draped on model girl. AS she
at FIRST appeared, she was clad in a handsome
and yet rather plain costume that would be
suitable for the street promenade She stood
up in it on low PLATFORM and they were crit
ically regarding her. Then they made con-
certed attack on her, grabbing viciousiy at the
garment At every clutch something came off.
One man jerked away n sleeve and another got
a section of the upper bodice, and SO on. The
scene startled me for moment, but the calm
ness of the girl assured me that there was no
harm meant In iiffy, the pretty creature
stood transformed into belle arrayed for
evening occasion Of ceremony, with no sleeves,
low corsage and a bodice altogether fit for q ball,
reception or dinner.
ais that for some economical patron" asked,
"who wishes to make one dress answer the pur-
pose of twoP
mot exactly" was the reply; cit is an inyen-
tion of a play wright, and is to be worn in new
farcical piece called 'Amannensis.' soon to be
e
scenes OF wild absurdity the heroine is violently
assaulted by servant GIRL who tears furiously
at her Dress Every time she touches the gar
ment a piece gives way But the truth is that
the victim of the assault, for the sake OF conveu-
ience and economy, has devised a sort of trans.
formation corsage. with detachable sleeves and
upper portion and 80 the violent removal of the
different sections, though startling to the specta
tors for an instant, only leaves the actress ap-
propriately clad for ball to which she is going.
If that doesn't make the play so famously with
the women then am prophet"
There is one shrewd man in New York who
has not learned the nature Of woman. The
restaurant keeper in Union square, who hired
side show giant, and sent him out the side
walk to distribute circulars. has devised
attraction for his place. Five musicians sit by
the window playing nearly all ay. They are
rgged out in uniform, and make an imposing
orchestra Crowds of women stand around to
see them play. Tho music cannot be heard out
side distinctly. To enjoy it one must 60 inside
and it was expected that nearly everybody who
entered would either have luncheon buy
some confectionery. 1t is seldom that man
will go in to hear the music, and thave nerve
enough to leave without purchasing anything,
but the women are not built that way. They
crowd through the doors. block up the passage,
buy nothing, and calmly walk away when they
have heard enough. A woman never has any
scruples about going to a free show
The tricks Of trade are many and manifold
but think have dropped in on the newest
dodge. The dyers. scourers and cleaners al
ways display a window full of curtains, feathers
and gloves, behind which rise tall, spectral
headless figures the lovely tea gowns and sweet
seaside robes of spotless white that the pro-
prietors of the shop have renovated. 1t is a
great inducement to buy cream cashmere
ivory silks when you how we'll they look
after being cleaned at Screwzendriver's. My
friend Jennie has her clothes sent from Paris,
and in her last batch of gowns lovely
house dress of some soft material. cascaded
with cream-white lace and beribboned with
ivory satin ends. Alas for this pretty gown 1t
was ever so much too short, and it had a ridicu-
lous little back in it-aoout big enough for the
back OF your hand.
II wonder whether couldn't exchange that
dreadful misft at of the places patronize?"
unused Jennie
Upspoke the chamber,naid, who had heard the
conversation: my sister is working for Mr.
Naptha, and think It's very likely he'd buy that
gown off you to put in his window to show how
splendid he cleans things. They made three
fine white wrappers for the show window last
month but none of em was as pretty as yours
That would look beautiful in the window Folks
would never think it had been cleaned, but for
being in old Napthas window, where. of course,
they know there's nothing but cleaned gar
ments."
But some OF the things have been cleaned,
haven't they, that see therel" asked Jennie.
well. few pairs of gloves; but the curtains.
and blankets, and the white dresses are mostly
brand new
AS have written before our women do not